Rebecca N. Greenberger¹*, John F. Mustard², Bethany L. Ehlmann³, Diana L. Blaney⁴, Edward A. Cloutis⁵, Janette H. Wilson⁶, Robert O. Green⁷, Abigail A. Fraeman⁸

1 Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA;
2 Dept. of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA;
3 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA, and Division of Geological & Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA;
4 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA;
5 Dept. of Geography, University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2E9, Canada;
6 Headwall Photonics, Inc., 601 River Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420, USA;
7 Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, California 91109, USA; and
8 Division of Geological & Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA

ABSTRACT

Imaging spectroscopy is a powerful, non-destructive mineralogic tool that provides insights into a variety of geological processes. This remote measurement technique has been used for decades from orbital or aerial platforms to characterize surface compositions of Earth and other solar system bodies. These instruments have now been miniaturized for use in the laboratory and field, thereby enabling petrologic analyses of samples and outcrops. Here, we review the technique and present four examples showing the exciting science potential and new insights into geological processes.

Manuscript received 29 May 2015; accepted 27 Aug. 2015.

doi: 10.1130/GSATG252A.1